NRL 2022: Panthers to reveal big changes for Manly blockbuster as doubt surrounds Nathan Cleary

As Ivan Cleary ponders a line up for Penrith’s opening game that hardly resembles last year’s grand final winners, there is fresh concern his son, Nathan, won’t be ready to face Manly.

PENRITH, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 26: Coach of the Panthers, Ivan Cleary looks on after the NRL Trial Match between the Penrith Panthers and the Parramatta Eels at BlueBet Stadium on February 26, 2022 in Penrith, Australia. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

Panthers coach Ivan Cleary is ready to reveal a fresh and newly structured side from that which famously captured last year’s NRL grand final - but it may be without star halfback and son Nathan Cleary.

Coach Cleary was grappling with his final line-up as late as Monday night before the NRL’s season-opening blockbuster against Manly at BlueBet Stadium on Thursday.

The Panthers will name multiple changes from their grand final-winning team with Chris Smith, Jaeman Salmon and J’maine Hopgood all under heavy consideration.

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Nathan Cleary is no certainty to play in round one.

Nathan Cleary will be the big story, however.

Sources close to Penrith claim Nathan will undergo a fitness test on his injured shoulder on Tuesday afternoon.

There is an increasing feeling that the gun NSW halfback – who underwent an off-season shoulder reconstruction - may struggle to be fit for the Sea Eagles.

News Corp ran into a dead-end with each inquiry about Cleary’s injury. No-one would rule him in or out.

If he withdraws, it is likely recruit Sean O’Sullivan would be named the new halfback.

Centres Paul Momirovski (Sydney Roosters) and Matt Burton (Canterbury) are missing from Penrith’s 2021 grand final team along with Kurt Capewell (Brisbane) and Tyrone May (Catalans). Centre Brent Naden, Penrith’s 18th man, has also joined the Bulldogs.

Izack Tago has big shoes to fill at the Panthers. Picture: Tim Hunter.

News Corp can reveal:

- Rising star Izack Tago – a St Mary’s junior – will replace Burton at left centre.

- Stephen Crichton will shift from the wing – where he scored a famous intercept grand final try – back to right centre, although he can also play left centre.

- Taylan May and Charlie Staines are fighting for Crichton’s wing spot with Staines marginally ahead.

- Liam Martin - named on the bench for the grand final – will be confirmed as Penrith’s right edge back rower to replace Capewell.

- Viliame Kikau started off the bench in the grand final but will enter the starting side.

- Cleary continues to ponder over his bench with Chris Smith, Jaeman Salmon, J’maine Hopgood and Matt Eisenhuth all under scrutiny for a vacant bench position.

- Mitch Kenny is favourite to be named the bench utility in place of Tyrone May.

Charlie Staines looks to have the inside running for a wing spot.

The extensive changes haven’t deterred punters with Penrith remaining solid $5 premiership favourites, according to TAB, with opponents Manly on the fourth line of betting at $9.

Cleary will name an extended bench at 4pm on Tuesday before a cull 24 hours before the game.

Giant forward Tevita Pangai was at Penrith last year but missed the grand final through injury.

The Sea Eagles and Panthers have endured challenging preparations through Sydney’s big wet.

Manly was forced to train on artificial turf inside the Sydney Academy of Sport, Narrabeen, on Sunday.

A TAB spokesman said: “Manly were priced at $7.50 after their stellar 2021 but were promptly kicked off the third line of betting by the Roosters.”

Head to head, Penrith will start the game as $1.58 favourites with Manly the $2.40 outsiders.

“One punter has had $2,500 on a Panthers-Storm grand final at $11,” the spokesman said.

Manly’s Reuben Garrick is $2.40 favourite to be the NRL’s leading tryscorer.